How Much Do Animators Earn?

How much do animators earn? This 2025 salary guide from the Animation & VFX Union BECTU gives a good picture of the current market rates in the UK.

Salary transparency is something our industry doesn't always do well, so rates cards like this are very useful, especially for junior artists negotiating a salary for a new role, trying to get a realistic idea of what they can expect to earn. 

Note that much depends where you live in the UK. The difference in the cost of living between London/the South East and the rest of the UK is significant.  If you're further away from London, your expenses are usually lower, but salaries also tend to be lower. 

So whether these are good rates really depends a lot on your location.  In addition rates are, of course, lower for junior roles, for folks looking to break into the industry for the first time. 

BAFTA Scholarships Open Until 20 May 2022

BAFTA is taking applications for three UK based post-graduate scholarships in Film, TV, Animation and Games worth up to £12,000 each. The deadline is 20 May 2022.

The BAFTA scholarships are supported by Warner Bros and the Duke of Cambridge, and include a work placement and also free access to BAFTA events. They can also be used to help finance our MA in 3D Animation, and our MA in Storyboarding & Previsualisation.

Scholarship Deadline 4 January 2021

The clock is ticking to apply for a scholarship to study on one of our postgraduate degrees in 3D Animation, Game Art, 3D VFX, 2D VFX, and Storyboarding & Previsualisation.

At Escape Studios we offer a £8,000 scholarship to one successful applicant for each postgraduate degree, significantly reducing the cost of study.

Don't wait! Apply now. The deadline is 4th January 2021.

Chevening Scholarship For Overseas Students

For overseas students applying to Escape Studios for our masters' degree courses, one possible source of finance for post-graduate study is Chevening, a UK Govt financed scholarship that pays for overseas students to come and study in the UK.

Applications for Chevening Scholarships open in August, though some Chevening Fellowships are already open.

To find out more, visit the official Chevening site here.

UK Govt Finance for Post-Graduate Study

One of the most common questions we get asked at Escape Studios is about the financing of post graduate courses.

The UK Government's student loan system for postgraduate master's degrees is now well established.  A system of low interest loans provides students in the UK with access to postgraduate university courses - including our own MA in 3D Animation, and our MA in Storyboarding & Previsualisation.  Prospective students who would like to do post-graduate study with us can borrow up to £11,222 in the coming academic year.

MA Scholarships - Deadline 14 August 2020

The clock is ticking to apply for a scholarship to study on one of our postgraduate degrees in animation, games, 3D VFX, 2D VFX (compositing), and Storyboarding & Previsualisation.

At Escape Studios we offer a £8,000 scholarship to one applicant for each of our next 2020 postgraduate cohorts; significantly reducing the cost of a postgraduate degree in 2D VFX, 3D VFX, 3D Animation, Game Art or Storyboarding and Previsualisation.

Don't wait - apply now. The deadline is 14th August, but it's always good to be an early bird.

What Charities and Trusts Provide Grants for Educational Study?

The system of loans and grants put in place by the UK Government a few years ago for the funding of higher education in the UK is now well-established and well understood.

But lots of potential undergraduate students are not aware of the many other sources of funding that are out there. You'd be surprised how many charities and trusts provide grants for educational study.

These grants vary enormously, and they are often aimed at students from poorer backgrounds or from groups who are less-well represented at university or otherwise disadvantaged.  So, how do you find them, and how do you apply?